Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1887-01-21
The Farmers Convention.


not only one of the most animated, but ont
Of the largest ever held, notwithstanding
the extreme severity of the weather. Every
seat in the hall was filled, and number
stood during the proceedings-over two
hundred being present Henry G. Hal
lowell acted as President of the convention
B. D. Palmer, President, and H. H
Miller and John SnOwden Secretaries.
Mr.. Hallowell, in opening the proceed
ings, said this was the fourteenth of these
annual gatherings. This was no fixed body,
coming together under stated laws, but only
farmers and neighbors assembling to COM
pare experiences and exchange notes-to
give vent, perhaps, to some expressions Of
discouragemeIt, but sure to go away en-.
men from having met and counseled with
each other. A need Of the times is better
farming. Statistics show that Maryland
equals in area the kingdom of Belgium !;
Texas is as large as the German empire
California equals in extent the kingdom Of
Spain, and the grain area of the United
States is less than the territory occupied by
Texas, whilst all our cotton is raised on an
area equal TO seven per cent. of that State
The wires yesterday were flashing the re-
port of royal commission in England on
the depressed condition of affairs, especially
of agriculture. Now, these are narrow lin
its; but here, with our grand area undevel-
oped, with not single acre developed to do
the most it can, what future tifefe1s before
an Industrious, intelligent agricultural peo-
plel One OF our troubles is waste. Every.
thing here is produced in such profusion,
we do not economic as we ought No
farmer will admit he does not get the most
out of his labor, his manure, his feed as he
ought; yet, in France, they live off what We
waste. Then, we pay too little attention to
the little things. Think of our importing
eggs by the million dozen. Don't let us
hear of farmers being discouraged when
such opportunities for using larger areas of
land, and of larger productions from the
areas We do use exist. Meetings like this
encourage, stimulate and improve the farmer
Above all else, they lead him to think
The chairman then called on the various
committees appointed at the convention of
last year for their reports
Francis Miller, from the Committee on
Railroad Crossings, reported they had, at
the instance ef the convention, secured the
passage of general law requiring railroads
to erect gates and provide gatemen or flag
men or electric apnunciators at railroad
crossings over public highways which the
County Commissioners determine to be dan
gerous to life and property, under severe
penalties.
Some complaint was made that the law
was not strictly enforced, to which reply
was made that parties knowing this ought
to report it to the States Attorney OF 60 be-
fore the Grand Jury.
The Committee on Protection of Sheep
reported they made no progress with the
last legislature, and it was continued and
ordered TO frame bill and submit it to the
convention next year. Experiences were
called for, and it was found that many
farmers in the county had suffered great
loss by the killing and injuring of sheep
by dogs.
An inquiry having been made as to the
cause and cure of scabby potatoes, it was
found that no one knew much about either
but Mr.. John W. Kelley found that the -four
OF sulphur had in his case proved specific
and was rewarded by the thanks of the con-
ventlon for his information.
A committee was appointed To test the
shrinkage between harvest time and selling
time ol corn, hay and potatoes.
Tue reports from the several cubs were
then sub nitted, DIR. Mahoa Kirk reading
the synopsis p the Senior Ciuo, Benz. ii
Miller that oi the Enterprise, aud IL. ii
Miller that oil the Montgomery Cub.
An ample and substantial lunch was eli
joyed at this point by all present. which hal
been prepared by the ladies OF the neighbor.
hood, who vera voted the thanks of the con.
vention therefor.
The discussion of the questions agreed
upUu was then gone into, AS To the price
at which farmers can afford 10 se.i their hay
rather than feed il, there Was great variety
Of opinion. The use el South Carolina roch
alone, as cOmmercia fertilizer, was not AL
vsed, but il was voted that it was cheaI
and suitable basis for fertilizers for all .ou
crops of this section.
"How can We make our farms pay better 2
The general answer was, farm less anC
and farm il better.
Would the adoption m the township sys
TEN be advisable in Maryland 2"
This was referred toa special committee
which was also directed to inquire into tn
possibility OF the reduction OF taxation il
Montgomery county, and report ON both sub
iects at the next convention.
"Can we lessen the acreage OF corn 10 al
vantage?"
This was decided in the negative.
"Will it pay 10 use commercial fertilizer
on the corn crop in our localityy"
Voted yes by large majority.
"How much improved machinery shout
farmer purchaser"
Some said all he can use to a Vantage
others, only what he cannot DO without.
A vote was taken ON the desirabilty 4
elevating the Department Of Agriculture
be an executive department, as proposed b
the bill which has passed the House Of Rsr
resentatives, and IL was approved unan
mousIy. The convention then adjourned
Lecture We are gratified to learn thi
Major J. Mortimer Kilgour, who enjoys a
almost national reputation as popular orr
tor, will lecture here in the Town Hall, o
Friday evening, February the 4th, at q;
o'clock, and ON the Monday evening 10
lowing at the same place and hour. III
subject for the first evening, February All
will be "Geod People" regarded as Majt
Kilgour's most telling effort before the pul
liz Tho a1 nntfta MOI, a., flty mi l.